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Genealogy Databases

Ancestry Library

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Access over a billion names in hundreds of databases, including U.S. Census records (1790-1930); military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories and passenger lists.

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Chicago Tribune - Historical (1849-1997)

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This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.

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FamilySearch.org

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Genealogical records from one of the largest genealogy organizations in the country. Creation of a free personal account is required. The Ela Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate. Some content is only available inside the library.

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Fold3

Fold3 by Ancestry

Provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. Offers a wealth of searchable original documents for genealogists.

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Heritage Quest

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Access family and history books, the U.S. Federal Census (1790-1930), PERSI (The Periodical Source Index), Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Freedman's Bank Records, and more.

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Newspapers.com Library Edition

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Historical newspaper archive from the 1700s onward, containing thousands of well-known regional, state and small local newspapers in the U.S. and other countries.

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Genealogy Resources

Lake County Genealogical Society 

PO Box 998

Mundelein, IL 60060-0998

(847) 918-3584

 

Genealogy Room

Vernon Hills Village Hall

290 Evergreen Dr.

Vernon Hills, IL 60061

Open 9am-4:45pm

(847) 918-3584 

 

Computer-Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois 

P.O. Box 59567

Schaumburg, IL 60159-0567

Family History Centers are branches of the Family History Library  of the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can access the main library’s holdings through indexes available at the branches.

 

Buffalo Grove Illinois

3075 N Buffalo Grove Road

Buffalo Grove, IL 60089

Phone: (847) 913-5387

Hours: Wed. 10am-2pm and 6:30pm-9pm; Sat. 10am-1pm

 

Crystal Lake Illinois

480 North Walkup Avenue

Crystal Lake, IL 60012

Phone: (815) 459-7475

Hours: Tue. 10am-2pm; Wed. 9am-noon; Thu. 7-9pm; Fri. 11am-1pm; Sat. 12-3pm

 

Schaumburg Illinois

1320 W. Schaumburg Road

Schaumburg, IL 60194

Phone: (847) 855-4130

Hours: Wed. 1-9pm; Thu. 4-9pm; Sat. 9am-1pm

 

Wilmette Illinois

2727 Lake Avenue

Wilmette, IL 60091

Phone: (847) 251-9818

Hours: Tue. 10am-6pm; Wed. 10am-9pm; First and Third Saturdays 9am-1pm

Genealogy Basics - Includes five steps to take for a successful family history project and genealogy research strategies.

Digitizing Your Family History - Includes steps on collecting, digitizing, preserving, and sharing family papers; tips for handling born-digital files; and links to digitization equipment and software at the library.

Oral History Checklist - Includes a recording checklist, sample questions, definitions, suggested equipment and software, and additional resources.

Oral History Guide - Includes the Oral History Checklist, a sample release form, additional family history questions, and a quick start guide for the Zoom H1N recorder. Use with the Audio Recorder Kit in the Library of Things.